$16,821,000 the first year and $16,953,000 the second year are for state parks, recreation areas, and trails to:
(1) connect people to the outdoors;
(2) acquire land and create opportunities;
(3) maintain existing holdings; and
(4) improve cooperation by coordinating with partners to implement the 25-year long-range parks and trails legacy plan.

Fiscal Year Funding Amount:

$1,363,693

Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The division's target for 2014 is to offer more than 9,000 interpretive programs statewide.

Project Details:

2014 Fiscal Year

Legal Citation / Subdivision:

M.L. 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 3, Sec. 3(a)(1)

Appropriation Language

$16,821,000 the first year and $16,953,000 the second year are for state parks, recreation areas, and trails to:
(1) connect people to the outdoors;
(2) acquire land and create opportunities;
(3) maintain existing holdings; and
(4) improve cooperation by coordinating with partners to implement the 25-year long-range parks and trails legacy plan.

Fiscal Year Funding Amount:

$1,417,275

Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The division's target for 2014 is to offer more than 5,000 interpretive programs statewide.

Measurable Outcome(s)

In 2014, a total of 9083 scheduled and requested state parks and trail interpretive programs were presented statewide. This far exceeded the 5,000 program goal.

Project Details:

2013 Fiscal Year

Legal Citation / Subdivision:

M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 3, Sec. 3(a)(1)

Appropriation Language

Sec. 3. Department of Natural Resources
(a)$14,262,000 the first year and $14,603,000 the second year are for state parks, recreation areas, and trails to:
(1)Connect people to the outdoors;
(2)Acquire land and create opportunities;
(3)Maintain existing holdings; and
(4)Improve cooperation by coordinating with partners to implement the 25-year long-range parks and trails legacy plan

Fiscal Year Funding Amount:

$942,250

Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

In calendar year 2008, attendance at visitor center exhibits was 1,123,534 people. The division's target for 2013 is to increase that number by 100,000 people.

Measurable Outcome(s)

In 2013, reported visitor center attendance was 1,222,992. This number nearly reaches the division's goal fo 100,000 over the 2008 attendance number.

Project Details:

2012 Fiscal Year

Legal Citation / Subdivision:

M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 3, Sec. 3(a)(1)

Appropriation Language

Sec. 3. Department of Natural Resources
(a)$14,262,000 the first year and $14,603,000 the second year are for state parks, recreation areas, and trails to:
(1)Connect people to the outdoors;
(2)Acquire land and create opportunities;
(3)Maintain existing holdings; and
(4)Improve cooperation by coordinating with partners to implement the 25-year long-range parks and trails legacy plan

Fiscal Year Funding Amount:

$942,250

Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The division's target for 2012 is to offer more than 5,000 interpretive programs statewide.

Measurable Outcome(s)

In 2012, a total of 9,156 statewide interpretive programs were offered to the public. This far exceeded the 5,000 program goal.

Project Details:

2011 Fiscal Year

Legal Citation / Subdivision:

M.L. 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 3, Sec. 2 (1)

Fiscal Year Funding Amount:

$1,180,000

Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Increase participation in interpretive programs by 50,000 people with the added support from our Naturalist Corps, the 80% year-round naturalists, and seasonal naturalists.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Interpretive programs reached 219,675 in 2009, before the addition of new Legacy-funded interpretive staff. In 2011, interpretive programs reached 216,840. These lower numbers were due to a state government shutdown that closed parks from July 1-21, typically the busiest weeks for interpretation. Legacy-funded Naturalist Corps, seasonal, and permanent interpretive naturalist positions reached 98,272 of the total program participants in 2011.

Project Details:

2010 Fiscal Year

Legal Citation / Subdivision:

M.L. 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 3, Sec. 2 (1)

Fiscal Year Funding Amount:

$573,000

Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

In calendar year 2008, attendance at visitor center exhibits was 1,123,534 people. The division's target for the biennium is to increase that number by 200,000 people.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The Division of Parks and Trails has significantly exceeded the original attendance goal by steadily increasing attendance at visitor center exhibits since 2008 by 276,000 people. This was accomplished by increasing staffing at visitor centers, updating exhibits and extending hours of operation.

Project Overview

The Division of Parks and Trails is creating innovative programs to attract new audiences, particularly young families, to Minnesota state parks and trails. Skill-building programs, such as "I Can Camp!," provide a trial opportunity by eliminating the barriers of needing to have pre-existing knowledge or gear for the activity. Special events, such as National Get Outdoors Day, generate enthusiasm and a sense of urgency to visit. Gateway programs introduce visitors to a host of outdoor pursuits, including those offered by other divisions of the Minnesota DNR. Interactive touch-screen displays, videocasts and podcasts keep the Division of Parks and Trails current with the ways the target audience wants to receive information, while engaging interpretive exhibits can't help but catch the attention of visitors. The addition of the new Minnesota Naturalist Corps allows the division to interact with more people.